Career Options

Art teachers do far more than show pupils how to draw or paint. They help students explore media such as drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, printmaking and digital art; understand artists, art history and visual culture; and build confidence, creativity and critical thinking through practical projects and reflection. In most state secondary schools in England, art teachers work across Key Stages 3 and 4 (ages 11–16) and often teach GCSE Art & Design. Some also deliver A‑level or vocational art courses and support whole‑school creative projects, clubs and exhibitions.

Becoming a teacher in the UK is a step-by-step journey that combines qualifications, training, and real classroom experience. If you are wondering how long it takes to become a teacher, the answer depends on your starting point and the route you choose. Most people take between one and five years from starting their chosen pathway to gaining qualified status, with additional time to grow in confidence during their early career. The answer to how long it takes to become a teacher depends largely on whether you already hold a degree and which training route you follow.

Applying for teacher training in the UK is an exciting step towards a rewarding career in education, but the process can feel overwhelming if you are unsure where to start. Whether you are a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone who has always wanted to teach, understanding how to apply for teacher training and what the application process involves will help you approach it with confidence and prepare a strong application that showcases your potential.

Professional development for teachers is more than a requirement, it’s a journey. The education landscape is constantly evolving, so staying ahead means regularly enhancing your skills, adapting to new challenges, and seizing fresh opportunities to grow. In this article, we’ll explore why professional development for teachers is essential, practical strategies to maximise your own growth, and how you can create real impact in your classroom and beyond.

How can teachers motivate students to learn? It’s a question that lies at the heart of education. When teachers successfully motivate students, they help spark curiosity, fuel ambition, and develop lifelong learners. However, with classrooms full of diverse backgrounds, personalities, and challenges, finding the right motivational approach is an ongoing journey, one that requires patience, empathy, and creativity. In this article, we’ll explore practical and proven ways teachers can motivate students to learn, transforming both classroom atmosphere and student outcomes.

Supporting children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can be one of the most rewarding careers in education. SEND Tutors work closely with learners who may require additional support, providing tailored teaching that helps them achieve their potential. If you’re interested in a role that combines teaching skills with empathy, adaptability, and the chance to make a real difference, becoming a SEND Tutor could be the perfect path for you.

Teaching is one of the most rewarding professions in the UK, but it is also one of the most demanding. Many people assume that to become a teacher, all you need is strong subject knowledge and the right qualifications. In reality, being a good teacher requires much more. Teachers need a broad range of skills and personal qualities that allow them to inspire, support, and guide their students. But what skills do you need to be a teacher? Let’s explore the essential skills that make a good teacher and why they matter.

An Early Years Teaching Assistant has the hugely important job of setting young minds on their way and laying the bedrock for a lifelong love of learning. These professionals play a crucial role in shaping the future by nurturing children's development during their formative years. The rewards of this role are immense.

Becoming a Teaching Assistant is an incredibly rewarding career path that allows you to support students and teachers, playing an integral role in their education. As a Teaching Assistant , you will work closely with students, assisting them in their learning journeys and helping to create a positive and effective learning environment. This career offers the opportunity to significantly impact students' academic and personal development. This article will outline how to become a Teaching Assistant,covering essential aspects such as the necessary qualifications, relevant experience, available training programs, and the application process. Understanding these steps will provide aspiring Teaching Assistants with a clear path for the future.

With many new teachers and teaching assistants leaving the education sector , perhaps it’s time to thoroughly assess if you have what it takes to be an educator of the future. Earlier in the month, we published a blog discussing the validity of psychometric testing as a more insightful way of recruiting suitable talent rather than using the more traditional methods of CV or application form submission. This can be viewed in the blog section of Senploy - click HERE.

Teaching Assistants play a crucial role in supporting educators, teachers, and pupils in various educational settings. Here are some jobs for teaching assistants:. 1. Classroom Teaching Assistant: A classroom teaching assistant works alongside the classroom teacher to support students with various tasks such as preparing teaching materials and resources, supervising students during class, recording progress, and managing the classroom when required.

If you're looking to start searching for a job in the Special Education Needs (SEN) sector, there are several steps you can take. Did you know that there are no mandatory minimum qualification requirements to be a Teaching Assistant, so it’s the perfect opportunity to start a new career without any prior experience. Here’s a few hints to help your search:. 1. Research: Start by researching the SEN job market. Look for job openings in your area or in the location where you want to work. Check out job boards such as Senploy, school websites, and visit educational job fairs to get an idea of the available opportunities.

In a blog last month, we revealed that the demand for high quality SEN tutors has been rising for a number of years. In the face of pandemic-induced learning loss, tutoring has proven itself to be one of the best solutions for addressing gaps in education and the Government responded by providing 300,000 courses in Autumn term of 2022, for example. The SEN sector is no different to mainstream education – tutors are a vital industry resource. Alongside teachers and other specialists, they provide the extra support required to help young people with special needs and disabilities to thrive. In many cases, an extra boost of learning delivered one-on-one can help transform a child’s attitude towards education.

Choosing a career path can be daunting and it’s extremely common for those in education or even later in life to be stuck wondering exactly what it is they want to do. For people that don’t have a certain industry or path in mind, the default choice tends to be work in sectors such as retail or hospitality – great options for some, but others simply settle for these roles due to lack of knowledge about other opportunities out there. A career has the power to transform someone’s life and rather than making a default choice or falsely believing that there are no other options, people should be encouraged to explore other avenues – one such example is a career in special educational needs (SEN).

In our last blog, we explored the value of non-qualified individuals to the special education sector. This relatively untapped talent pool can provide vital support to settings and their pupils. There’s plenty of interest, too – our job listings for ‘unqualified SEN teaching assistant’ receive an average of 13 applications per role. However, empowering the next generation of SEND heroes cannot be achieved on candidates’ interest and determination alone. Rather, they must be welcomed and supported by open-minded employers who are willing and able to encourage them on their career journeys. Only with this attitude and approach will both parties feel the true benefit of up-and-coming, unqualified SEND employees.

Alongside teachers, SEN tutors provide vital assistance to help special needs and disabled children reach their full potential. Whether needs are related to disabilities, impairments or physical needs, the one-on-one attention provided by a tutor can prove greatly beneficial in helping many children to discover that learning can be a positive and enjoyable experience.

As we enter into another new year, feeling the desire to take on a new challenge isn’t uncommon – and it’s a feeling that shouldn’t be ignored for too long. Staying in a job that no longer rewards, inspires or motivates can lead to poor performance, lack of confidence and even depression.

If you are new to working in the SEND industry or have just started to apply for your first role, it can be a very nerve-wrenching time. Working in SEND can definitely be challenging, but there are a wealth of benefits for those who focus on this specialism too. That said, to ensure you are prepared, it is important to get a good idea of what to expect before you start your new role or apply for jobs within this arena.

When you hear the term “therapist”, most people automatically picture a sofa and a therapist with a notepad asking questions about your childhood. However, when it comes to SEND Therapists, there is a lot more to them than you may think.

Do you feel dissatisfied with your current role? Are you stuck in a rut? Is the time right to seek a more rewarding career path? Don’t let lack of experience hold you back you. It’s never too late to try something new! Read this article for helpful tips on changing careers without experience.

If you are a qualified and trained teacher seeking a new career direction, you may be considering working with children with SEN. This is an extremely rewarding career path, well-suited to those who are creative, intuitive, and compassionate. If this sounds like you, working with SEN could be something you excel at and a worthwhile route to pursue. So, where should you start your SEN journey? Securing any teaching position can be a challenging endeavour, but we hope the information and advice detailed below will point you in the right direction.

How many jobs are there in special schools?. Special schools are those that solely provide education for children with special educational needs and / or disabilities (SEN or SEND). There are around 1,600 in the UK employing around 28,000 teachers. Around 2% of children attend them – but due to the high ratio of support they employ over 4% of teachers.